Safer Workplaces

Sharing Experiences and Changing Attitudes

Jan Michiel Meeuwsen

Jan Michiel MeeuwsenSafer Workplaces

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Occupational safety and health = human right

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:Art. 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.Art. 5 No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.Art. 22 Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security (…)Art. 23 Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

December 10, 2014

Jan Michiel MeeuwsenSafer Workplaces

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OSH policy in Turkey

Progress was made; new OSH Act in 2012 passed Grand National AssemblyMore OSH service provisionsEuropean Working Conditions Survey saw an improvement of:

Safety perceived as a risk in workers’ jobsInformation regarding safety risksUse of protective equipment

However, still a poor record on accidents and …….Poor registration of occupational diseases; a much larger killer than accidents

December 10, 2014

Jan Michiel MeeuwsenSafer Workplaces

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New Davutoglu policyAhmet Davutoglu announced several measures after recent labour fatalities:

punishing those liable for workplace accidents with higher financial punishments or even prison terms. Companies found liable would even be banned from public tendering for two years

Will this work?

Source: website Industrial Relations in Turkey

December 10, 2014

Jan Michiel MeeuwsenSafer Workplaces

5

Top down versus bottum up approach

Standard reflex of regulators after accidents = more enforcementHowever; limited resources frustrates this approach

Alternative = empowering workers and OSH professionals Leads to awareness and emancipation

Obviously both approaches are needed

December 10, 2014

legislation

enforcement

OSH services Employers’ organisationsTrade Unions

PublishersResearch institutes

Government

Inspection authority

Organisations; their managers and workers

influencing,advice

collective bargaining

regulation,certification

advice

promotion,public information

issuing,disseminating

assignments,research programming

disseminating results

December 10, 2014

Jan Michiel MeeuwsenSafer Workplaces

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FERROSH approach

Bottom up approach involving OSH professionals in the metal sector and empowering themMultiplier methodologyOn line access to all materials for further use

Useful for other sectors in Turkey like mining and construction

December 10, 2014